Graduate Student Ambassadors

Hey everyone! I’m David, a second-year PhD student in the Behavioral and Community Health department and a research assistant on the PRI project. I’m super passionate about community health, mental health, and making sure everyone’s voice is heard—especially in marginalized communities. I love working on team projects where we can learn from each other and make a real impact. UMD SPH has been an awesome place to grow, do meaningful research, and meet people who care deeply about health equity—just like I do!

Fun fact: I’m big into swimming and running, and I used to compete in karate tournaments all across the Americas! Feel free to say hi or reach out and I’m always up for a good chat or collaboration!

Feel free to reach out for tips on balancing work and school full-time! :)

LinkedIn: David Liendo
E-mail: dliendou@umd.edu

I am a second-year PhD student in Maternal and Child Health at the Department of Family Science. As an international student, my academic journey reflects a strong commitment to advancing global maternal, reproductive, and child health through research, policy engagement, and evidence-based interventions. The School of Public Health program’s mission to improve population health, reduce health disparities, and strengthen health systems globally aligns with my passion and goals. With a track record of excellence and innovation, the school provides a veritable platform for success for any potential public health advocate. My doctoral work focuses on advancing reproductive health equity for women and children in vulnerable populations. I have published in peer-reviewed journals on global health, maternal care, and reproductive justice, and contribute to scholarly discourse as a journal reviewer. I look forward to connecting with potential students, faculty, and partners who share a vision for advancing public health research, education, and practice to create lasting global impact.

LinkedIn: Gabriel Dogbanya

Email: nwhitak1@umd.edu

Hi, my name is Changwen, and I am a BS+MPH Student in Environmental Health Sciences! I just finished my BS in May 2025, so I will be a full-time MPH student from now until I graduate in December 2026. I chose Env Health because where we work, play, sleep, etc., can have huge negative impacts on our health, and I want to become part of the solution. The support and guidance from UMD SPH have helped me on this journey and inspire me to pursue a PhD after I finish my MPH. My current research interests include environmental epidemiology and air pollution/air quality, though I will still be trying out other topics as I progress with my studies!

LinkedIn: Changwen Ding
E-mail: changwen@umd.edu

I’m Alice. I left behind a job in public accounting to build a career in public health. As an accountant, I specialized in tax. Still, I was drawn to the policy aspects of the field more than the business aspects and missed the joys of pursuing scientific inquiry in an academic environment. So, I decided to switch gears towards health research and found my ideal environment at UMD’s SPH. My research interests are in health disparities, program and policy evaluation, public health systems, and social determinants of health. My non-research interests include anime, manga, and music - specifically, piano and clarinet.

LinkedIn: Alice Yan
E-mail: asyan@umd.edu

Hello! My name is Esohe Owie, a second-year MPH student in Health Equity (HLEQ), which I began through the BS+MPH Accelerated Program. I decided to get an MPH in HLEQ because I am interested in utilizing research, stakeholder engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address health disparities and promote health equity. Some of my public health interests include maternal and infant health, as well as the built environment and its impact on health outcomes. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new restaurants, visiting the Smithsonian museums, and watching movies from a variety of genres. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to learn more about my experiences as a double terp in the School of Public Health. I look forward to connecting with you.

LinkedIn: Esohe Owie
E-mail: eowie@umd.edu

I’m a PhD student in Kinesiology. My research attempts to make accurate knee-loading measurements accessible outside of biomechanics labs. As a former rehabilitation engineer, I strive to better understand human movements. So, the Neuromechanics Research Core at UMD is the perfect fit! In my free time, I’m either participating in a group fitness class at ERC, playing with my daughter, or cooking

LinkedIn: Maliheh Fakhar
E-mail: mfakhar@umd.edu